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Elections
New reports show PACs at work in Austin Council races
As everyone is keenly aware, there’s an important election coming up next week. Not just the federal contest, but also City Council races. The candidates have now turned in their final campaign finance reports before the Nov. 5 election. These…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 31, 2024
As voters weigh higher tax rate for Austin public schools, group of former trustees raises concerns
Voters are deciding whether to approve a tax rate increase that would generate new revenue for Central Texas’ largest public school district as it grapples with a $119 million budget deficit. Austin Independent School District officials have said that shortfall…
Bonds & Propositions • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Oct 28, 2024
City looks to reduce lead time on approved bond projects ahead of expected 2026 proposals
City staffers hope to dramatically shorten the early lag in approved bond projects that typically add a year to construction and acquisition schedules, which can also increase costs or reduce the scope for proposed projects. Last week’s meeting of the…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 23, 2024
Ethics complaints won’t be heard before Election Day
As voters flocked to the polls on the first day of early voting, the city’s Ethics Review Commission decided it would postpone considering complaints about Mayor Kirk Watson and challenger Doug Greco accepting more than the allowed amount from non-Austin…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 22, 2024
Where do Austin's mayoral candidates stand on public safety issues?
Austin has seen meteoric growth over the past decade and a half, and its police department has found itself rethinking its priorities to address public safety amid the influx of newcomers. So, we asked the five candidates for Austin mayor…
Elections • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 22, 2024
Ballot measure asks taxpayers to help fund access to affordable child care
In May of this year, Travis County committed to a broad investment in child care with the Creating Access for Resilient Families, or CARES initiative. To fund that care sustainably, the county will ask voters on Nov. 5 to approve…
Bonds & Propositions • By Lina Fisher • Oct 21, 2024
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Vela, Guzmán and Herrin raise quality-of-life concerns in race for District 4
In the race for the District 4 seat on City Council, incumbent Chito Vela is facing four candidates, with the two most visible challengers – Monica Guzmán and Louis Herrin – notching their third and fourth races for City Council,…
Elections • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 21, 2024
West side District 10 candidates do not agree on much
There are just two candidates running for the District 10 City Council seat: Marc Duchen and Ashika Ganguly. While both have lived in West Austin for a number of years, Duchen, 46, has a longer track record. Duchen has an…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 18, 2024
PACs raising funds for Watson, Greco, others
A political action committee supporting Mayor Kirk Watson has raised more than $238,000 but spent less than $2,900 so far, according to a report filed with Austin’s Office of the City Clerk. One of the major contributors to the Austin…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 17, 2024
Watson touts progress while pushing for affordability, eyeing city's long-term needs
Two years into his return stint as Austin’s mayor, Kirk Watson thinks the positive moves on housing and affordability made by the 11 members of City Council will be for naught if he can’t keep moving them forward. While he’s…
Elections • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 17, 2024
Incumbent Mackenzie Kelly faces Krista Laine in D6 race
Council Member Mackenzie Kelly and her lone challenger, Krista Laine, will go head to head in the Nov. 5 election. Kelly touts her credentials as a promoter of all things public safety, while Laine says she will do better for…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 17, 2024
Part II: District 7 candidates share views on climate action, housing, public safety
This is Part II of a two-part series profiling the candidates running for Austin City Council’s District 7 seat. Read Part I here. Adam Powell Adam Powell, a former union organizer and state employee, believes that most of the impactful…
